DA will fight toll roads in the Western Cape like we are fighting them in Gauteng

The Democratic Alliance welcomes the DA-governed City of Cape Town obtaining a court date to interdict the construction of the N1/N2 Winelands Toll Highway project. 

This means that Sanral will not be able to commence work on the project without first resolving the city's concerns.

The Democratic Alliance will fight the implementation of toll roads in the Western Cape like we are fighting them in Gauteng. 

As in Gauteng, we believe that each and every community who will be affected by the implementation of these roads have the right to be properly consulted. 

Toll roads will inevitably drive up the cost of transportation and constrain freedom of movement, opportunity and growth in this province. Until now, no socio-economic impact study had been done and no consultation had taken place. 

For proper consultation to take place, Sanral with have to provide the necessary information on the costs of tolling and upgrading the N1 and N2, the relevant fees as well as the impact on the road users. 

Sanral has been withholding this information, which makes it untenable to allow the process to carry on unchallenged.

Sanral will also have to provide proof of their claim that the implementation of the toll project is necessary since "certain road sections are deteriorating at a fast pace". According to information on their own website, the relevant roads are in a "good" or "fair to good" condition.

The South African consumer is increasingly burdened by rising costs and taxes. The DA believes the implementation of toll roads in this province will significantly increase this burden, especially on the poor. We will fight it tooth and nail.

Statement issued by Ivan Meyer, DA Leader in the Western Cape, March 26 2013

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